Imagine an Indian wedding without flowers. Imagine sweets without sugar. Both are impossible, aren’t they?
Flowers are ubiquitous and synonymous in an Indian wedding scenario. Even in the most basic weddings held at the register office, it is customary for the bride and groom to adorn themselves with beautiful, fragrant floral garlands. From a simple string of jasmines to truckloads of exotic blossoms shipped in from all over the world, nothing showcases the beauty of flowers better than the Indian wedding.
Why flowers? This blog will explore how flowers have become indispensable to Indian weddings.
In India, if you happen to spot a house adorned with flowers, there is a staggering 95% probability that a joyous wedding celebration is happening inside. Flowers are present up, right, and centre in every wedding ritual, decor, and even the outfits.
Flowers steal the show in their own way. Amid joyful melodies, lavish garments, and grand banquets, flowers cast a tranquil yet powerful aura with their vibrant hues, diverse species, and unparalleled beauty.
In India, people believe in materialising joy and energy through the breathtaking visual beauty that flowers possess. Flowers hold an incredibly spiritual and auspicious value, particularly in all Hindu rituals.
From the moment the first rays of the sun touch the earth to the enchanting sunset, the grandeur of every auspicious ritual unfolds with the gracious offering of flowers to the divine gods and goddesses.
Let’s take a moment to consider the undeniable reasons why flowers are widely considered the superior option in all wedding venues in Chennai:
Wedding venue decorations wouldn’t be complete without the enchanting touch of flowers, which undoubtedly take the spotlight among other decorative elements. Most Hindu weddings are officiated under a mandap or a four-pillared canopy. This structure, until lately, was mostly decorated with red, yellow, and orange flowers to symbolise purity and bravery.
The recent trend, however, is to create a colour theme matching the wedding attire and decorate the stage or mandap accordingly with exotic flowers imported from various countries.
The Indian wedding decor has evolved by leaps and bounds. The set itself is classified into:
In Indian wedding decoration, certain flowers have gained the utmost significance for their remarkable elegance and deep cultural meaning. Let’s peruse the varieties topping every list of flowers at Indian weddings.
Rose
The rose is undoubtedly the most popular flower at any Indian wedding, thanks to its easy availability, diverse colours, varieties, sizes, and distinct aroma. Throughout history, this flower has consistently represented eternal love, making it an exceptionally fitting choice for weddings. Walk into an Indian wedding, and you will see roses used in:
Marigold
Yellow and orange marigolds may not smell as sweet as the rose, but they are grown and used in abundance for their vibrant colours. These flowers are also believed to represent Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, one of the most compatible couples in Hindu mythology. Another reason why they are ubiquitous at Indian weddings is their association with the sun’s radiance and positive energy.
Tulips
Tulips, imported directly from Holland and other nations, are stealing the limelight with their exquisite beauty. These enchanting blooms have become such an obsession that dedicated budgets are set aside solely for lavish floral displays. Believed to represent prosperity and happiness, tulips are available in exotic colours and are used heavily for Oriental decors and wedding bouquets.
Hydrangea
This scentless flower is a timeless beauty available in white, shades of violet, purple, pink, burgundy, and even green. They are used in wedding bouquets, as filler flowers in decors, and to adorn tables at the wedding banquet.
Using statues to decorate the wedding hall is a recent trend. Decorators place these flower-bedecked statues in strategic places like the venue entrance, lawn area, and outside the ceremonial hall. Not only do decorators embrace the trend of using natural flowers, but they also opt for artificial ones to enhance the overall beauty of the wedding venue.
Decorators are extra careful about using flowers in banquet areas. While the concept is to make the place look more lively, colourful, and garden-y, the trick is using only natural flowers rather than artificial ones/. Every detail of the banquet hall is adorned with exquisite floral designs, from the couple’s seating area to the walls and pillars. Some decorators even place artfully done bouquets to create an enhancing, lush atmosphere.
The ceremonial pandal is the main place where the marriage is solemnised. Call it a custom or trend, but this place is the most bedecked spot in the entire venue. Gone are the days when the pandal was decorated with colourful papers. Decorators now offer a million ways to deck the pandal with local and imported flowers of all colours.
The first centre of attraction is the venue entrance. There are countless ways to captivate your guests, whether by adorning the space with a charming flower-filled arch or crafting an entire canopy that stretches from the entrance to the ceremony hall.
The groom is, of course, the hero of the event, and it is customary to give him the most splendid reception. The bride’s relatives or the bride herself may welcome him with a spectacular bouquet of chosen flowers. Another way to welcome the groom is to decorate the pathway with petals or have them showered over him as he makes his way towards the ceremonial hall.
Decorating the car in which the bride and groom travel to their new homes from the wedding venue has been a long-term tradition. The car bonnet and boot sports an eye-catching flower display, while individual flowers are taped onto the other parts of the car.
As you enter the main entrance of the ceremonial hall, prepare to be astounded by the magnificent flower rangoli that lies before you. Kilos of flower petals of all shapes, sizes, and colours go into making these intricate designs, which take hours to complete.
Nothing can replace flowers, especially at Indian weddings. While modern decors may incorporate various elements such as foliage, kites, lanterns, drapery, tassels, or shimmering lights, it is undeniable that nothing conveys the essence of love and unity quite like the beauty of flowers.
Let’s wind up our blog with some tips to up the ante with your floral decoration.
1. Plan in advance
Shortlist your event planners and florists well ahead of time. This approach will allow you to finalise your flower requirements, theme, and arrangements without any rush.
2. Decide your budget
Generally, the price of flowers depends on their availability and where you procure them from. When shipping your flowers from overseas, it is crucial to set aside a separate budget to ensure you are fully prepared for the expenses.
3. Make your choice
Consider how you want to use your flowers. Do you want a formal, informal, basic, modern, grand, or traditional look? Finalise your venue and choose your theme accordingly.
When selecting flowers for a wedding, make sure to choose vibrant colours, flowers with a captivating aroma, ones that fit within your budget, and the appropriate flowers for decoration.
The Chennai Convention Centre is the perfect wedding venue in Chennai to “say it with flowers.” Our lavish wedding halls, stately corridors, lush lawns, and grand entrances are the best options for displaying your floral decor. Want to visit our wedding hall to plan your floral arrangements? Talk to our team today.